San Marino’s amateur footballers cheered as if they had won a major title and horribly threw coach Roberto Cevoli in the air – tears of joy flowed from the head of the club. With a historic 3-1 victory over Liechtenstein, the footballers of the tiny state of San Marino managed to achieve promotion to Serie C in the League of Nations. At least for one happy evening in Vaduz, the bottom of the FIFA world rankings shed their twenty-year-old loser image - and can now even dream of taking part in the qualifying playoffs for the 2026 World Cup.
“In addition to the serious risk of a heart attack, all I can say is that these boys have achieved history tonight,” said the president of the association, Marco Tura, who was visibly moved and added: “It was I have to cry.”
Some entries in history books
The delegation and a few dozen fans in the Rheinpark in Vaduz were able to celebrate a selection of historic achievements. San Marino achieved their first away win in their international history, their highest ever success, and scored three goals in a game for the first time.
They have never managed to win after falling behind – in fact, the footballers known as “Titans” have only three international victories to their name: all three came against Liechtenstein, the first time in a friendly match in 2004 and now twice in this Nation. Season of the series.
Semi-professionals, students and warehouse workers
And the victory was deserved. San Marino were in control of the game and did not allow themselves to be disturbed by going behind. “Finishing the first half 1-0 down was an insult to football. But the boys were brilliant and deserved what they achieved,” said Coach Cevoli.
Lorenzo Lazzari (46th minute), Nicola Nanni (66th/penalty) and substitute Alessandro Golinucci (76th) turned the game around. Nanni plays in the 3rd Italian league, Lazzari – a university student – even one class lower. Golinucci only plays in the local league in San Marino - on top of his regular job as a warehouse worker for a toy company.
“This evening will stay with us forever”
For these amateur and semi-professional footballers, success like those in Liechtenstein means the world. “This evening will stay with us forever,” said striker Nanni. “Now we want to raise the bar a little higher.” San Marino is ranked 210th in the FIFA world rankings, last behind the Turks and Caicos Islands, the British Virgin Islands, the US Virgin Islands and Anguilla. In the C-League of Nations he is now up against other calibers and even former World Cup participants.
In theory alone, the ”Titans” from the odd state with about 33,500 inhabitants could hope to take part in the qualifying playoffs for the 2026 World Cup thanks to their coup in Vaduz: the respective winners of two groups are from eleven World Cup qualifiers in the competition. Including Europe, USA, Canada and Mexico. The twelve runners-up will advance to the play-offs, as will the top four group winners in the Nations League who do not finish first or second in their World Cup qualifying groups.
Sounds complicated, and the probability of such a constellation occurring in San Marino is not very high. But the chances of them winning the group and being promoted to the League of Nations were slim.
– What impact does San Marino’s recent football victory have on the country’s sports culture?
Interview: Time.news Editor Meets Expert in San Marino Football
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our special segment where we discuss extraordinary events in the world of sports. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Marco Conti, an expert in sports sociology and the evolution of football in lesser-known nations. Dr. Conti, let’s dive right into it! San Marino’s recent victory over Liechtenstein has captured the world’s attention. How significant is this win for a team that has historically struggled on the international stage?
Dr. Marco Conti: Thank you for having me! San Marino’s 3-1 victory is monumental not only for their footballing history but also for the emotional and psychological landscape of the team and its fans. For the first time, players who are often seen as underdogs have experienced an upset that shifts the narrative around their capabilities. It’s a reminder that even the smallest nations can achieve great things in sports.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! The players celebrated as if they’d won a championship, which reflects a deep and emotional investment in their national identity. How does this victory influence their aspirations, particularly with the potential of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup?
Dr. Marco Conti: This victory introduces a new dream for San Marino—something that previously seemed unattainable. The prospect of qualifying for the World Cup can ignite not just player ambition but also greater support for football within the country. It provides hope and a renewed interest among the youth, which is crucial for the long-term development of the sport in San Marino.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of player ambition, many of San Marino’s footballers lead semi-professional lives or balance their football careers with education and other jobs. How does this duality reflect on their performance?
Dr. Marco Conti: The semi-professional nature of San Marino’s footballers adds a layer of complexity to their performance. While it showcases a commitment and passion for the sport, it also means they lack the resources and training that other countries’ players may have. However, their recent performance indicates that with the right mindset, teamwork, and determination—qualities showcased in their historic match against Liechtenstein—they can achieve remarkable feats despite these limitations.
Time.news Editor: Coach Roberto Cevoli mentioned that finishing the first half 1-0 down felt like an insult to football, yet they turned the game around. What does this say about their resilience?
Dr. Marco Conti: Resilience is a critical component of sports, especially for teams like San Marino that often find themselves at a disadvantage. The ability to stay focused, regroup, and respond positively to adversity highlights the mental toughness that can be found in athletes—even those from smaller football nations. Their victory proves that mentality can sometimes outweigh skill, especially in high-pressure situations.
Time.news Editor: With this win, San Marino also recorded their first away win in international history and scored three goals in a single match for the first time. What does this mean for their legacy in football?
Dr. Marco Conti: These milestones are essential as they begin to carve out a legacy for the club and the nation. Every record broken, every goal scored, becomes part of their narrative and contributes to a growing sense of pride. This victory will inspire future generations and may encourage more investment into football at grassroots levels, cementing a richer heritage for San Marino’s footballing future.
Time.news Editor: It’s truly inspiring. As we wrap up, Dr. Conti, what message do you think this victory sends to other underrepresented football nations?
Dr. Marco Conti: It sends a powerful message: never underestimate the potential within your ranks. Every team can dream, build, and achieve given the right mindset and support. San Marino’s triumph is a testament that football is about heart and soul as much as it is about talent and resources.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Conti! It’s been a pleasure discussing such a heartwarming and historic moment in sports. Here’s to more underdog stories in the world of football!
Dr. Marco Conti: Thank you for having me! Let’s hope to see many more inspiring moments on the pitch.